"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."

-Steve Jobs

Design and Technology (D&T) is taught as part of our broad and balanced ambitious curriculum and these knowledge and skills based lessons ensure coverage of the National Curriculum.

Each half term, children take part in either an Art or D&T topic. Design and Technology develops children’s skills and knowledge in design, structures, mechanisms, electrical control and a range of materials, including food. It encourages children's creativity and encourages them to think about important issues.

Within D&T, children have the opportunity to revisit previous learning, therefore enabling them to embed the skills and techniques learnt throughout the years in St Charles’.

The skills learned in D&T also help with learning across the curriculum. Knowledge about the properties of materials helps in science and the practice of measuring accurately helps in maths. These skills help in IT through the children’s use of computer control and, naturally, in art and design.

Design and Technology education helps develop children’s skills through collaborative working and problem-solving, and knowledge in design, materials, structures, mechanisms and electrical control. They are encouraged to be creative and innovative, and are actively encouraged to think about important issues such as sustainability and enterprise.

There are three core activities children engage with in D&T:

• Activities which involve investigating and evaluating existing products
• Focused tasks in which children develop particular aspects of knowledge and skills
• Designing and making activities in which children design and make 'something' for 'somebody' for 'some purpose'

We are committed to the wider development of young people and encourage collaborations with professional artists and art organisations through trips and visitors in school.